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Medigram - August 7, 2008


TOP STORY

Tim Bartholow, MD, joins Society staff

Tim Bartholow, MD, will be joining the Wisconsin Medical Society (Society) staff in November as Senior Vice President of Member Services, Policy Planning and Physician Professional Development. He will use his experiences as a small, rural primary care practitioner and on various committees to work on membership recruitment and retention as well as professional development for physicians built around our quality and efficiency efforts.

Doctor Bartholow comes to the Society from Prairie Clinic in Sauk Prairie, where he has been a partner since 1992. A member of the Wisconsin Medical Society since 1992, he has served on committees for many organizations, including committees focusing on Medical Technology, Quality and Education, Governance and Finance, Pharmacy and Therapeutics, Credentialing, Quality and Utilization Management and Pay for Perfomance. Also, in 2008 he became the Chair of the Physicians Cabinet for Wisconsin Health Information Organization.


NEWS BRIEFS

Quit Line Expands Services for Pregnant Smokers

The Wisconsin Tobacco Quit Line (1-800-QUIT-NOW) is devoting more resources to helping pregnant women in Wisconsin to quit smoking. Wisconsin currently ranks in the top 20 of all states for the number of smokers in this vulnerable group.

“According to new tobacco-treatment guidelines released this spring by the U.S. Public Health Service, counseling can increase a smoker's chance of quitting by as much as four times versus trying it alone,” said Kate Kobinsky, Wisconsin Tobacco Quit Line coordinator.

On Aug. 1, the Quit Line expanded its services for pregnant women who currently receive assistance tailored to their needs. The expanded program will provide additional contact–up to 10 phone calls, including two postpartum–to prevent a return to smoking.

The Wisconsin Tobacco Quit Line provides free, confidential and nonjudgmental coaching. It is available from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. seven days a week. People can also reach the Quit Line through wiquitline.org on-line. The Quit Line is managed by the University of Wisconsin Center for Tobacco Research and Intervention (UW-CTRI) and is funded by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.


NPPES and NPI Registry unavailable Aug 10

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will be implementing some enhancements and updates to the National Plan and Provider Enumeration System (NPPES), and the system will be unavailable Sunday, August 10. For information on the enhancements and updates, click here.

If you have not yet registered for your National Provider Identifier (NPI), you can do so here. NPIs are now required for billing Medicare.

QUALITY & EFFICIENCY

Interview with John Foley: the payer perspective

As part of Medigram’s continuing series of articles about the Wisconsin Health Information Organization (WHIO) and its role in health care transparency efforts underway in Wisconsin, this week’s installment is an interview with John Foley, vice president of Health Services for Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Wisconsin. Previous installments include topics ranging from the Society’s Quality Forum to information about the Data Mart project. Click here to read more.

CAPITOL INSIDER

November Elections: Spotlight on State Assembly

Control for the State Assembly may be up for grabs in the November elections, and both sides are beginning to speculate about what may happen. Republicans controlled that house with a 52-47 margin during the 2007-08 legislative session, but they face three difficult factors:
  1. The Democratic “brand” continues to lead the Republican “brand” by double-digit margins, although how this translates to more local races like State Assembly is debatable,
  2. Momentum is on the Democratic side, with Assembly Republicans dropping eight seats in the 2006 election, and
  3. Assembly Republicans have already seen one incumbent depart their camp. Rep. Jeff Wood (I-Chetek) switched party identification from Republican to Independent in a much-publicized breakup on the day nomination papers needed to be filed to run for office.
At a WisPolitics.com event on Wednesday, Assembly Speaker Mike Huebsch (R-West Salem) and Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Madison) gave their observations and predictions concerning November's elections to an assembled group of Capitol lobbyists, media and others interested in politics. Interestingly, both Huebsch and Pocan agreed on many things: the economy is a major issue for voters, the megaphone of the national election scene will overlap any Assembly media efforts and that Packers quarterback Brett Favre should not be traded to the Minnesota Vikings. Both also predicted that their party would hold a majority with 53 seats after the elections.

Make your voice heard and join other Society members in making campaign contributions to state policymakers. Physicians are encouraged to participate in WISMedPAC and WISMedDIRECT—help strengthen the voice of medicine in the Capitol!

F.Y.I. FOR YOUR INSURANCE

New member benefit—the Wisconsin Medical Society Member Life Insurance Plan

The Wisconsin Medical Society Member Life Plan is a new member benefit designed specifically for the needs of physicians and their families. It’s an affordable, dependable and convenient way to help protect your family’s future.

Term life insurance is available to you in amounts from $50,000 to $1 million. The benefit can help family members meet everyday expenses if you pass away. Or, family members can use the money to pay for college tuition, estate taxes or to secure retirement income. Your loved ones will have the money to continue to have the life you wished for them.

How much life insurance do I need?
Please use this calculator to help determine how your life insurance benefit can secure your family’s future in the event of your death. This tool can help give you an idea of just what expenses this benefit may help take care of—including some that you may not have thought of.

The Member Life Plan has some additional important features that include:
  • Accidental Death and Dismemberment Coverage (AD&D) included with your term life insurance.
  • Available coverage for your spouse, domestic partner and eligible dependent children.
  • Competitive group rates.
  • Simplified application process.
It’s quick and easy to apply. Or, you can learn more about the Society Member Life Insurance Plan by going to the Wisconsin Medical Society Insurance & Financial Services Inc. Web site.

Society Life Insurance coverage is issued by The Prudential Insurance Company of America, 751 Broad Street, Newark, NJ 07102. A Booklet-Certificate with complete Plan information, including limitations and exclusions, will be provided. Contract series 83500.

QUALITY CORNER

2008 PQRI National Provider Conference Call with Question & Answer Session Aug 13

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' (CMS) Provider Communications Group will host the sixth in a series of national provider conference calls on the 2008 Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI). This toll-free call will take place from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, August 13, 2008.

This call will provide an overview of the PQRI provisions in the new Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (MIPPA) of 2008; information on the E-prescribing measure for 2008 PQRI and proposed measures for 2009 PQRI; incentives for electronic prescribing outlined in the MIPPA; an update on registry reporting for 2008, and a question and answer session.

A PowerPoint slide presentation will be posted to the PQRI Web page on the CMS Web site for you to download prior to the call so that you can follow along with the presenters, Michael Rapp, MD, and Daniel Green, MD. Following the presentation, callers will have an opportunity to ask questions of CMS subject matter experts.

FAQ

Question:
Does a parent who does not have legal custody of a child have access to his or her protected health information?

Answer:
It depends on the circumstances. Clearly, if a court terminates a person's parental rights, the person is no longer deemed to be a parent under Wisconsin law, and therefore, would not have permission to view the child's protected health information.

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